this is bbc news. the headlines at 11:00 — german authorities release their only suspect in the berlin truck attack which killed 12 people. a potentially dangerous criminal may be still at large. chancellor, angela merkel, leads tributes during a special church service near the scene. the brandenburg gate is illuminated in the national colours in honour of those who died. translation: we do not want to live with the fear of evil paralysing us, even when that is sometimes hard. we will find the strength to live as we in germany want to live; free, together and open. the guardian front page reporting that mrs merkel has come under fire in germany from right wing factions who say her refugee policy "imported terrorism into the country". more on that in the paper review at 11:30. coming up in the next half hour. the body of the russian ambassador to turkey has arrived home in moscow.

andrey karlov was gunned down by an off—duty police officer. russian investigators have arrived in ankara to inspect the gallery where he was shot. nicola sturgeon lays out her plans for scotland's relationship with the eu after brexit. the first minister says she won't allow the scottish economy to suffer. surgeons claim that a new treatment for early stage prostate cancer, using lasers and a drug made from deep sea bacteria, is ‘truly transformative‘. good evening and welcome to bbc news. german police say the driver of the lorry that crashed into a christmas market in berlin

yesterday may still be at large. they've released the only suspect they had, but insist they are following other leads. the so—called islamic state group has claimed responsibility, saying one of its ‘soldiers‘ carried out the attack. twelve people were killed and nearly 50 injured, half of them seriously, when the lorry drove at a0 miles per hour through the popular market at breitscheidplatz, near west berlin's main shopping street, just after 8:00 last night. this evening angela merkel and other german political leaders attended a memorial service at a church next to the market. here's our berlin correspondent jenny hill with the latest on the attack. first light this morning and the sheer violence of this attack dawns. the lorry crashed through the christmas crowds here, shattering everything, everyone in its path. this footage was taken in the immediate aftermath of the attack. bodies lie scattered under the twinkling lights.

moments earlier, these people were eating, drinking, shopping, at one of berlin's most popular christmas markets. changed instantly and you have this scene of utter devastation. sara and rees may never forget what they saw. obviously there was people lying on the floor. we weren't sure if it was red wine or if it was blood but we did see — i remember there were people trying to pick up the stalls, we decided to try to lift the stall up with them and we realised, you know, other people unfortunately underneath were already passed. the lorry itself is key to the investigation. it appears to have been hijacked, it belongs to a polish firm. today, the owner identified the man who should have been at the wheel. he was found shot dead

in the passenger seat. even the police admit they still don't know who was driving. last night, they arrested a pakistani man who came to germany to seek asylum earlier this year. this evening, they released him without charge. the so—called islamic state group have claimed the attack. but tonight investigators say the individuals who did these are still at large. translation: we don't know with any certainty whether we are dealing with one perpetrator or with several. we don't know with any certainty whether he or they had any support. and now, just like nice, paris, brussels, berlin mourns. and the german chancellor must vr must reassure her citizens. angela merkel is under pressure. just the suggestion that an asylum seeker may have been responsible has reignited a national debate over whether her refugee policy has put

the country at risk. translation: it would be particularly hard to bear if it turned out that the person who did this was someone who sought protection and asylum in germany. it would be particularly offensive to the many germans engaged daily in the task of helping refugees. tonight, a stillness in the heart of berlin. what, after all, is there to say? another terror attack in another european capital and 2a hours later it seems no—one here knows who did this or where they are now. the suggestion that the attacker could be a refugee has intensified the political pressure on the german chancellor, angela merkel. her open door policy on migration has seen nearly a million arrivals

in the country over the last year. today, a right wing party said they held mrs merkel "personally responsible". elections will be held in germany next year. our europe correspondent damian grammaticas looks at the political reaction to the berlin attack. this evening a time of mourning, instead of advent celebrations. just yards from where the so—called islamic state claim it is killed a dozen berliners, germans of all faiths gathered for this memorial. translation: we stand here together to send a strong signal that hate and terror will not drive us apart. our unity is stronger than hate. angela merkel said she had no simple answers why a murderer brought death to a christmas market. nearby the city's main shopping street is cordoned off. the attack was a blow to the very heart of germany, that's why it is felt so deeply here.

searching for clues about their suspect, this is where police raided at 3.00am, berlin's biggest asylum centre, the old airport. ahmed shared a room with a man, he was woken and questioned for two hours. i am very angry, angry about what's happened yesterday. and i am very angry today about what's happened to me. what happened to you? i didn't do anything. treat me like a criminal man. germany has taken in over a million people since the migrant crisis began. before this week, three lone individuals had carried out attacks. no germans had died. angela merkel personally identified with the refugee policy has until now stuck to her welcome. from an afghan refugee she received thanks last month but today

she was blamed for the attack by germany's far—right, hoping to turn successes in recent regional polls into national votes next year, they want tough new border controls. this chaotic migration policy is one of the factors because something like this can happen. we don't know who is in our country, of many, many people. we don't know what background they have, we don't know if terrorists are in germany and we have to stop this. here in germany a lasting impact of this attack may be political. questions of security seized op by those seeking to drain support from angela merkel in federal elections next year. further afield across europe, it serves as a reminder to political leaders that their support remains vulnerable to acts of terror and violence. a majority of germans have supported the welcome policy, provided it's for refugees fleeing war, voicing it even today. when people flee their countries

and you see the danger there, we are obliged to help them, she says. others worry about the threats. our politicians need to wake up, he adds, fear is growing but they're not spending on security. it all means the question of who carried out the attack, whether it was someone welcomed as a refugee, is crucial for angela merkel and her vision of a free, open germany. after the attack, authorities throughout europe, including britain, have been revisiting their security arrangements for christmas and new year. here, the threat level remains unchanged at severe, which means a terror attack is highly likely. here's our security correspondent, gordon corera. the christmas events that are supposed to be a time ofjoy are now tinged with anxiety. the warning signs were there. just a month ago, the us advised its citizens to be careful around holiday markets in europe.

so could the attack in berlin have been prevented and can future events be kept safe? this reconnaissance video was for a planned bomb attack on strasbourg's christmas market in france, in 2000. that was foiled. this year, security was tightened there, with restrictions on vehicles and checks on people going in. it's raised questions about whether germany did enough to protect berlin. translation: we did increase security measures, but we cannot turn christmas markets into fortresses. we have an unlimited number of soft targets, there are so many possibilities to kill people with a truck. france's bastille day, in nice, showed the carnage a lorry could cause, 86 were killed. so—called islamic state also claimed responsibility for that attack, although authorities never found much evidence of direct contact with the driver. in the uk, there have been years

of work to protect crowded places. that included this project, developing bollards and blocks, which can absorb the massive impact of a truck and stop it reaching its target, but one former head of counterterrorism says we can't rely on these measures alone. well, more bollards and troops on the streets is not, absolutely not, the answer to this threat. you have to build your intelligence capabilities more. you have to encourage people to come forward. here, at m15, they'll be carefully studying the details of the berlin, trying to understand who the attacker was and if they were connected to anyone else. they'll also be hoping that their intelligence gathering will be able to stop something similar happening here. a dozen terrorist plots have been stopped in the last three years, but the threat level remains at "severe" meaning an attack is considered highly likely. at birmingham's christmas market, bollards were already in place.

manchester police say they are now increasing patrols. in london, plans to shut off roads around buckingham palace during the changing of the guard have been brought forward because of berlin. security officials believe the uk is more prepared than the rest of europe, but they also caution that no—one should be complacent about the threat. gordon corera, bbc news. turkish police have detained six people following the murder of the russian ambassador in ankara yesterday. it's believed those being questioned are related to the off—duty police officer who shot him. as the body of andrei karlov was flown back home, both the kremlin and turkish officials said the assassination would not derail their negotiations about the war in syria. from ankara, mark lowen reports. a farewell to russia's ambassador, but in a way nobody could envisage.

andrei karlov‘s body was flown back to moscow, the victim of an assassination. his government called him an "eternal symbol of russian— turkish friendship." his widow was barely able to watch. he was opening an exhibition in ankara last night, behind him, smartly dressed, his killer, a turkish policeman having cleared security with his police id. the gunman paces calmly, gearing up to strike, occasionally fumbling in his pocket. suddenly, he shoots. at the russian embassy today, tight security and tributes to an ambassador who'd served here for three years as russia and turkey fell out over syria. they back opposite sides in the war, but have recently reconciled. those who knew him called mr karlov a brilliant diplomat. this is a big tragedy for all of us. for all russian people. do you understand why there is anger against russia here? ah...

i think i understand, but it is difficult to talk right now. the turkey—russia relationship has always been tricky, but this murder might actually bring them closer against the common enemy of terror. in syria they're helping each other achieve their goals — russian and regime control of aleppo, turkish influence in the north and, lacking many other allies at the moment, turkey and russia need each other. andrei karlov was one of russia's most seasoned diplomats, called softly spoken and professional. the russian embassy street here will be renamed in his honour. both countries have painted this as an attempt to derail ties. president erdogan said he and vladimir putin agreed it was a provocation. turkey's foreign minister has even suggested the gunman had links to the plotters behind

the recent attempted coup. turkey's pliant press found its own conspiracies. some called it a cia operation, others a job by the west. the russian president said an investigation was under way into a treacherous murder and he urged solidarity. could the killer have been brainwashed in the police? these on line videos seem to show policemen made to chant nationalist, islamist slogans. one theory is that perhaps hatred was stirred up here. was he a lone wolf, a jihadist sympathiser? either way, a 22—year—old policeman became an assassin and russia wants answers. mark lowen, bbc news, ankara. the headlines on bbc news: german authorities release their only suspect in the berlin truck attack which killed 12 people. a potentially dangerous criminal may be still at large. the body of the russian ambassador to turkey,

gunned down by an off—duty police officer, has arrived home in moscow. russian investigators are in ankara to inspect the gallery where he was shot. nicola sturgeon lays out her plans for scotland's relationship with the eu after brexit. the first minister says she won't allow the scottish economy to suffer. let's have a quick look at some of the front pages. the daily mirror says this. "truck killer could strike again." it quotes a source in the german police as saying the killer is still armed and at large. the telegraph says there's a manhunt in berlin and across europe after the police admitted they'd arrested the wrong man. the times leads on the manhunt for the killer too. it says the attack was the worst terrorist attack on german soil since 1980. the metro recounts the death of the lorry‘s legitimate driver, as he fought to try to stop the hijacker from seizing his vehicle. the i says europe is

on a christmas terror alert. it says british lorry drivers have been ordered to keep their cabs locked at all times. the mail says "so much for peace on earth," as armed police guard the nativity scene at canterbury cathedral. the express leads on a different story. it says theresa may has refused to guarantee a vote in parliament on the terms of britain's exit from the european union. the paper says mps won't be able to block brexit. don't forget, a full look at the papers coming up in about 15 minutes. nicola sturgeon has set out plans to protect scotland's relationship with the european union after brexit. the first minister says she is "determined" that scotland will remain in the single market, even if the rest of the uk leaves, and claims 80,000 jobs depend on it. downing street says the prime minister would look at the proposals but wouldn't accept what it called "differential relationships" with brussels for separate parts of the uk. our scotland editor,

sarah smith, has more. nicola sturgeon has a plan. she says it is the only serious plan for brexit any government has yet come up brexit any government has yet come up with. and she argues thatjust because the uk is leaving the eu it does not have to leave the single market. i accept there is a mandate in england and wales to take the uk at the eu, however i do not accept there is a mandate to take any part of the uk out of the single market. scotla nd of the uk out of the single market. scotland can stay in the single market, even if the rest of the uk chooses to leave. today's proposals from nicola sturgeon are nothing like the red, white, and blue brexit theresa may talks about. it is more like it the spoke scottish tartan version. for scotland to stay in the single market, substantial new powers would need to be devolved. control over immigration, business regulation and employment law would all need to be transferred north of

the border. the mechanics of how it all might work are complex. the scottish government says it is essential for businesses like this ta rta n essential for businesses like this tartan mill in the scottish borders who export to the eu. they say firms like this could employ eu nationals who might not have work elsewhere in the uk, but it would not be easy. who might not have work elsewhere in the uk, but it would not be easym would be legally and politically and technically extremely difficult for scotla nd technically extremely difficult for scotland to stay in the single market if the uk is leaving the eu because there would be one set of business regulations applying to scotla nd business regulations applying to scotland and another set applying to england. that would only be possible if there was a complete devolution of business regulation. if nicola sturgeon can get a totally different ta rta n sturgeon can get a totally different tartan dealfor sturgeon can get a totally different tartan deal for scotland, that would bea tartan deal for scotland, that would be a major political victory. if the prime minister ignores her demands, thatis prime minister ignores her demands, that is not as a sarah lee a total defeat. she can use that for an

argument for independence. the prime minister dismissed a separate scottish deal and warned against a rush for independence. if scotland we re rush for independence. if scotland were to become independent, not only would no longer be a member of the eu, it would no longer be a member of the single market of the eu, and a single market of the uk. and the single market of the uk is worth four times as much to scotland. trying to weave together the different demands or brexit could yet strained the bonds that holds the uk together. sarah smith, bbc news, edinburgh. doctors have described a new treatment for early stage prostate cancer as "truly transformative," and they hope it could be used to treat other cancers. the technique, developed by researchers from university college london, uses a laser to activate a drug made from deep—sea bacteria. trials involving more than 400 men found it destroyed tumours without causing severe side effects. our medical correspondent, fergus walsh, has the story. this is the technology

which represents a huge leap in prostate cancer treatment. it involves a drug derived from bacteria found in the darkness of the ocean floor. this laser optic fibre is inserted into the prostate, the light activates the drug which kills the cancer. when gerald capam was diagnosed with early prostate cancer, he was worried it might develop and he'd need surgery or radiotherapy, which can cause incontinence or impotence. instead, he became one of the first successfully treated with the new light therapy and had no long—term side effects. well, i feel incredibly lucky that i was accepted for the trial. i'm totally cured. i can look forward to the remaining years of my life, hopefully, cancer—free. one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, so this highly effective new treatment, known as photodynamic therapy, could be hugely significant. the light—sensitive drug is injected

into the bloodstream. it's derived from deep sea bacteria, which are efficient at converting light into energy. through a thin tube, a laser light is inserted into the prostate, the light activates the drug which destroys the cancer cells. the journal, lancet oncology, reports that half the patients given photodynamic therapy were completely clear of cancer two years later, compared to about one in seven of those given standard care. crucially, it did not cause major side effects. the harms with traditional treatments have always been the side effects, urinary incontinence, in other words, leaking urine and requiring pads. sexual difficulties, which occurs in the majority of men who have treatment. to have a new treatment now that we can administer to men who are eligible, that is virtually free of those side effects, is truly transformative.

the treatment is likely to cost around £20,000 a patient and is expected to be approved in europe following these impressive results. its use is also being trialled in other cancers. so, it won't be cheep, but for prostate patients, photodynamic therapy represents a powerful new weapon in the war on cancer. fergus walsh, bbc news. a brief look at some of the day's other other news stories. a court has ruled that doctors should stop providing life support treatment to a policeman who has been in a minimally conscious state for more than a year. paul briggs, who is a gulf war veteran, suffered a brain injury in a motorcycle accident. his wife said he should be allowed to die. police in the swiss city of zurich say there's no evidence that a gunman who wounded three worshippers at a mosque yesterday was linked to islamists or far—right extremists. the head of the regional police said the suspected attacker, who later killed himself, had an interest in the occult. a strike by baggage handlers

and check—in staff at 18 airports has been called off. employees of swissport were due to walk out on friday and saturday, but the action has been suspended after the company made a new pay offer. ten people have been killed in an explosion in mexico at a firework market. it was taking place in the northern outskirts of the capital. more than 50 people are reported to be injured. police across the uk are preparing for a spike in instances of domestic violence against women over christmas. in sunderland, a project is under way which works with men who could become abuse offenders. fiona trott has more. welcome, everybody. we will start. the new way of tackling domestic abuse. 0k, somebody mentioned money. these men are learning how bare abusive behaviour is affecting their partner. should you go? see has no

money. right. the 26 week course involves the charity bernardos. it can get up to 20 referrals a month, and that is just sunderland. can get up to 20 referrals a month, and that isjust sunderland. little tics and punches, stuff like that. then she would hit me. this man was referred by his gp. so, how has the course help you? it teaches you how to ta ke course help you? it teaches you how to take time out. an hour here or there. so even if, like, i am texting, and it gets out of hand, as you would say, i mightjust stop texting for an hour and chill out a little. this helps us change behaviour of men before they get involved in the criminaljustice system. we want to stop things

escalating to that point because we know when the police get cold it is usually quite serious injuries and incidents. but there is another element to this row graham. the local housing association is also involved. —— programme. they check the perpetrators are attending the course and they check up on the victims themselves. they might have something like a broken window, broken door locks, for example, things like that. it could be an antisocial behaviour complaints. it could be noise nuisance. but is it really noise nuisance or abuse? he was kicking my door in in the middle of the night. this woman was so afraid of her ex— partner she carried a knife. her words are spoken by somebody else. carried a knife. her words are spoken by somebody elsem carried a knife. her words are spoken by somebody else. it finally came to the day that he assaulted us and put us in hospital. he got 16 months injail. i was so pleased. i

know it sounds crazy. you know, i was lying in a hospital bed covered in blood. but i was so happy because to me in blood. but i was so happy because tomei in blood. but i was so happy because to me i was very. in every community there is a woman like us. here in sunderland, charities hope that by working with the local housing association, abusive relationships can stop before women are put in more serious danger. bbc news. and now for another look at the front pages after the weather. plenty of news for you. having enjoyed a quiet spell of weather in the first half of december, wouldn't you know it in the run—up to christmas, especially in the north, things are going to as and rain as well, as it sinks

here and rain as well, as it sinks further south and east, further cold air behind. that is how we will wake up air behind. that is how we will wake up in the morning. three, four, five, six. a wet start to the day as the rain comes to east anglia and the rain comes to east anglia and the midlands and the south—east. behind that, a lull. then a second feature bringing more rain, weakening all the while from the western side of scotland in across central and southern parts of england and wales. there it will be relatively mild compared to what is going on further north. some of these showers are wintry. coming to lower levels. hail and thunder. they will rattle on through on gale force winds. three because of the night, the rain in the goes a way to bring something dry and bright and rather cheery. —— through the course of.

showers popping up in the north of england and wales in the afternoon. through scotland and northern ireland, mastery and heavy and potentially thundery showers. air in these northern parts. then it is friday that is making the headlines already. look at the number of isobars. headlines already. look at the number of isoba rs. that headlines already. look at the number of isobars. that is a lot of wind. that is why it is cold storm barbara. that is why it has been named and that is why there has been in amberwarning about named and that is why there has been in amber warning about the wind. especially in a mild gust especially in the north. a mild gust will bleed you over. further north, 90 miles an hour. that is disruptive and damaging. and then a second storm. the track of this one is not clear yet but we are keeping a close eye on that. that is getting on towards christmas day. severe gales in the northern half of the british isles because there is potential disruption. abc local radio will be

all over it and so will we. —— bbc. you can also - more all over it and so will we. —— bbc. you can also more on you can also get more information on the hello. we'll betakinga leekrat—temerrew first the headlines at 11:30. a suspect detained after last night's lorry attack in berlin investigators say a dangerous